Parenting: First Day of School

Yesterday was Munch’s first day back at school. It was an exhausting day because our flight was delayed by 3 hours and we didn’t get in the house until 12:15 a.m. the next morning. Ugh! But, we took it in stride and were thankful that we arrived even after all those hours.

I felt so unprepared. I didn’t get a chance to pack his backpack with all the school supplies before heading out of town. That was a bummer. I grabbed some notebook paper and pencils and shoved them in his bag and thought we’ll do it this evening.

Munch woke up in a bad mood. Can you blame him? He was explaining to me that he didn’t want to go back to the same school because the kids were mean to him. I stopped. I breathed and replied “Munch, we are in a new school year with a new teacher and new classmates. No one can make you feel less than you are. Only you have the power to do so. I want you to have an amazing day because you are blessed. We woke up this morning. You have new clothes and shoes and supplies. You are ready to learn.” He sighed.

We drove to school and he said to me “Mommy, I’m sorry about earlier. I was in a bad mood. I’m going to have a good day.” I smiled and replied “Yep, you are and I can’t wait to hear all about it.” We walked into the building.

He saw a couple of children from his old school. Remember that I told you that there are only two French Immersion schools in the county? That was comforting. They spoke in the hallways. His smile was huge.

We met his teacher who is another male (Yay!) this year. I introduced myself and Munch and told him that I will see him at back to school night next week. I left.

This year there was no huge good-bye and lingering around. I felt better. I felt comforted. We weren’t in a foreign territory anymore. I know some parents, the principal and administrators. I made the school smaller by volunteering and I’ll do the same this year.

Here’s to my awesome and amazingly talented fourth grader. He’s ornery, brilliant and changing every day to look like his mommy. He will have a wonderful time in the 4th grade this year and I’ll be right there to make sure that he does.

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Published by Tikeetha T

A mother to a beautiful boy and a businesswoman. I am divorced and dating and I talk about everything from parenting,co-parenting, relationships, dating and social issues. Follow my blog at https://athomaspointofview.com/
View all posts by Tikeetha T

20 comments

Yay Munch! I hope he has a great year. It can be hard for kids, walking back into the lion’s den with the bullies. Kudos to him for facing down his fears. Also, how cool is it to have male teachers in the younger grades? I really wish our educational system had more men in the younger grades.

Yep, I’m praying for a better year. I love that he has male teachers. His music teacher and main teacher are males and it just becomes balance. I think that school systems push men out because if there is even a hint of impropriety their whole life will be turned upside down, so men shy away from the classroom. It’s disheartening because I think it gives young men a role model in the classroom.

Wow so cool! Quebec is a beautiful city/region (depending on which one you’re talking about!).
May I ask why he is going to French school? Do you or your ex have French roots? Or did you just want to give your child the opportunity to be bilingual?

In America indeed, Spanish is more prevalent. But French is widely spoken in Africa, and it still has this “cultured” aura. Honestly your son will have no problem learning Spanish after he learnt French. French is a language that is primarly Latin (like Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Protuguese), but it evolved at the crossword of Latin and Germanic cultural zones of influences, so it is not as straight forward, pronunciation-wise. Other Latin languages are much easier to master, French is the most difficult one. So your ex can chill 😉
Does he enjoy French? It is so fascinating to me. My daughjter is bilingual Eng-Fr as her father is from India. But we live in Brussels, Belgium, so she goes to French school here. English school is just too expensive for us. I think ultimately, it will be down to us to actually teach her how to read and write in English properly.

He does enjoy it. He hates that I ask him to speak it to non-French speaking people. He gets in school and he’s speaking so fast and fluently it is beautiful. He dies laughing when I try to speak it and says “Mommy, that’s not how you say it.” I’m like okay. That’s so cool about your daughter. One of my closest friends was born in Russia and her husband was Russian. When they married and she had children I would tell her to speak only Russian in her house because in America they will learn English. So much of our culture is lost when we try to assimilate in this country. She did and her girls are fluent in both Russia and English. She knows it so she’ll be fine.

Your first day with Munch sounded like mine with my 1st grade. I was so edgy and confused with the process with the new school, teachers and friends! We made it work and this week is the first full week! My Isaiah is loving it! Pray at the time I’m writing this that both you and Munch have adjusted and still confessing many more great days!🤗